What About Them?
Two events over the last few weeks remind us that we live in a deeply divided world where age-old boundaries continue to be reinforced in light of the “spirit of the times.” When Anders Breivik went on a shooting and bombing rampage in Norway late last month, killing...
Walk on Water
When it comes time for that summertime swim, are you one of those people that dives in fearlessly, head first or cannonball style, or do you take the more conservative approach – first dipping your big toe in the water, then entering slowly, tentatively, while holding...
Re-Releasing Stirred, Not Shaken
Over the last few years I have heard from many of my readers about how my first two books, Testimony to the Exiles, and Stirred, Not Shaken, have been helpful in the everyday course of living out their faith. Pastors and laity alike have reached out to me through...
What About the Weeds?
A couple of weeks ago I travelled with eighteen high school students to South Central Los Angeles for an extraordinary week of service and learning. Throughout the week, we dispersed in teams to various parts of the city with hammers and paintbrushes and ladders,...
Family Feuds
If you’re like me, you are inclined to believe that God operates according to the same rules of justice and fairness that govern our modern Western society. We assume that God rewards honesty and goodness, and that those who lie or deceive or manipulate others for...
Listen Up and Be Heard
Over the last few weeks the gospel readings have guided us through Jesus’ long and poignant goodbye speech, as recounted in John. Knowing that he will soon be leaving his disciples after three years of teaching and leading and prodding them, Jesus makes time for a...